How to Keep a Mattress Topper from Sliding
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Mattress toppers are great if you need to alter the overall feel of your mattress, enhance the level of comfort, or add some support. The thing is, they also tend to move around and slide off your bed, which may be quite annoying.
But don’t worry! I have a solution for you! Well, five solutions, to be exact.
So, sit back and prepare to learn how to keep a mattress topper from sliding.
Why Do Mattress Toppers Slide Off?
Before we dive in, let’s find out why this even happens in the first place.
Why does even the best mattress topper travel around your bed at night, causing you to constantly adjust it?
Well, there may be several reasons:
- The surface of a mattress is too sleek. Sometimes, the cover fabric of a mattress may be very smooth and offer little to no grip. Since the texture of the cover fabric depends on the weaving, it’s fair to suggest that both synthetic and natural materials are equally prone to this.
- Your mattress is uneven. As your bed ages, its surface may become uneven, and in this case, a mattress topper may slide due to gravity.
- Your bed has no footboard and headboard. Higher boards can hold a higher mattress — or a combo of a mattress and mattress topper — and keep it secured.
- You (or your partner) are active sleepers. Obviously, if you move a lot during the night, the impulses of your movement may affect the position of the mattress topper and cause it to shift.
- Improper sizing. Sometimes, manufacturers offer slightly larger or smaller toppers, and the inconsistency of the sizes might also be the reason for your pad to slide off.
“Firm mattress pads typically are bouncier and more resilient compared to softer models, and hence, they are more prone to sliding off.”
Now, let’s go through five main ways to fix this issue, starting from the most to the least common.
#1 Bed Sheet
The easiest way to keep your mattress topper from sliding is to put it under a bed sheet. You may either use a fitted sheet or choose a model with a skirt that is meant to hold a higher mattress. However, this method has its pros and cons which I will list below.
So, let’s begin with the good:
- tucking your mattress topper under the bed sheet won’t void its warranty;
- a bed sheet will obviously help you keep the mattress topper clean from stains;
- if you own a mattress topper with a cooling effect, a natural sheet can enhance this effect and make your sleep even more refreshing.
One possible drawback of this method is:
It’s a temporary solution.
Over time, you will notice your mattress topper has slid again. The sheets only help slow this process down so that you won’t have to adjust the pad every night.
#2 Straps and Bands
A more advanced method to keep your mattress pad in place is to use straps of any kind:
- sheet straps that may come with your bed sheets;
- suspenders that may come with a bed frame.
This method works exceptionally well with thick mattress toppers for side sleepers and leaves no room for them to move, so you can enjoy a peaceful sleep without the need to readjust your mattress pad every now and then.
#3 Safety Pins
Yes, you can use safety pins to hold your mattress topper in place, although this may sound like a terrible idea.
In fact, safety pins are very durable, and no, they won’t shred your mattress or mattress topper if you do this properly:
- make sure that the needles of the pins are facing down;
- use at least five pins per side so that they would hold the pad tightly;
- use larger pins, because they’re thicker and more long-lasting.
That’s it. Once you’ve secured the mattress pad in place, just make your bed as you would normally do. After that, you can enjoy a sound sleep without worrying whether your topper will stay put.
#4 Velcro or Carpet Tape
If you’re a ‘do-it-yourself’ person, this method might be exciting for you. Velcro tape is one of the best ways to prevent a mattress topper from sliding, as it can offer excellent grip and is less likely to loosen up with time.
Here’s how to use this tape:
- Attach the ‘hook’ side of the Velcro to your mattress pad and the ‘loop’ side to your mattress. You can use the same safety pins from the paragraph above or just stitch it with a needle. Before placing a mattress topper over the mattress, ensure that the soft side matches the sharp one completely.
- If you cannot find the Velcro tape, you can try the same method with dual-sided carpet tape that is used to prevent a carpet from sliding on the floor and can hold your mattress topper pretty well.
“Choose mattress toppers with covers made from polyester and cotton, or blends of these fabrics, as they are quite tenacious and can prevent your mattress from sliding.”
Also read: Best RV Mattress Toppers
#5 Unusual Ways to Keep a Mattress Topper From Sliding
Now, I’d like to mention some unusual ways to prevent a mattress topper from moving around:
- Non-skid mats. These rubber or plastic mats are usually used for area rugs to keep them in place. Turns out, they can also offer an excellent hold for your mattress topper. Just put the mat right on top of your mattress and place the pad above it, and you’re all set.
- Duct tape. Duct tape was made to hold things together, so if you don’t have anything else, this might be the only solution. Tape the corners of your topper to the mattress and use a fitted sheet above.
“In some cases, you might also use a spray adhesive and just glue your mattress topper to the mattress. However, the adhesive is likely to stain your mattress and void the warranty, so this could be a solution for older beds.”
What Else Can You Do to Keep a Mattress Topper from Sliding?
You know, I believe that the main cause of sliding is that your mattress topper is uncomfortable for you.
If you have any pain symptoms, health conditions, or specific firmness preferences, an uncomfortable mattress pad can cause you to toss and turn more than you usually do. And excess movements make your mattress topper travel around the bed with you.
So, be sure to do your research so that the mattress topper you choose would surely meet your demands and offer you proper support and cradling.
Also read: Best Mattress Toppers For Lower Back Pain Relief And Sound Sleep — Our Top Picks And Buyer’s Guide
5 Best Mattress Toppers For Hip Pain — 2020 Reviews And Buyer’s Guide
Best Egg-Crate Mattress Toppers
Have you tried any of the aforementioned methods? Or maybe you have your own tips to fix a mattress topper? You’re welcome to share below!
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